This Caramelized Onion & Prosciutto Pizza is a sweet and savory recipe, which is made with deeply caramelized onions and salty prosciutto. It’s the perfect gourmet pizza night treat, ready in about 30 minutes after the dough is prepped.
Jump to RecipeCaramelized Onion & Prosciutto Pizza Ingredients
A sophisticated combination for a truly delicious gourmet pizza.
For the Pizza Dough (makes 2 crusts):
- 1 tsp. Instant Or Active Dry Yeast
- 1 1/2 cups Warm Water
- 4 cups All-purpose Flour
- 1 tsp. Kosher Salt
- 1/3 cup Olive Oil
For the Topping (per pizza):
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 ball of pizza dough (half the recipe above)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4-5 slices of prosciutto
- A handful of fresh arugula
- Balsamic glaze, for drizzling
How To Make Caramelized Onion & Prosciutto Pizza
A step-by-step guide to this sweet, savory, and sophisticated pizza.
- Make the Pizza Dough: Make the dough according to the recipe directions: activate the yeast in warm water. Combine flour and salt in a mixer, then drizzle in the olive oil and the yeast/water mixture. Mix until a sticky dough forms. Let it rise in a warm, covered, oiled bowl for at least 1-2 hours. (Making the dough 24 hours in advance and letting it rise slowly in the fridge will result in an even better flavor).
- Caramelize the Onions: While the dough is rising, prepare the onions. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Add the thinly sliced onions and a good pinch of salt. Cook low and slow, stirring occasionally, for 30-40 minutes, until the onions are a deep golden brown, very soft, and sweet. Set aside.
- Prep Oven and Shape Pizza: When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to its highest setting (at least 450°F / 230°C) with a pizza stone or a heavy, inverted baking sheet inside. On a floured surface, stretch or roll out half of your pizza dough into a 12-inch circle.
- Assemble the Pizza: Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper or a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel. Brush the surface with a little olive oil. Spread the caramelized onions evenly over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the onions.
- Bake and Serve: Carefully slide the pizza onto the hot stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Remove the pizza from the oven, drape the slices of prosciutto over the top, then finish with a handful of fresh arugula and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Recipe Tips
For a perfect, pizzeria-style pizza every time.
- How to get perfectly caramelized onions? Patience is the key. Low and slow is the only way. Cooking them over a low heat for a long time coaxes out their natural sugars and creates a deep, sweet, jammy flavor that you can’t get by rushing.
- How to get a crispy pizza crust? A very hot oven and a preheated surface (pizza stone or steel) are non-negotiable. This blast of heat from below is what creates a crisp, not soggy, pizza base.
- When should I add the prosciutto? Prosciutto is a delicate cured meat. If you bake it for the entire time, it can become overly dry and crispy. Adding it to the pizza as soon as it comes out of the hot oven allows it to gently warm through and “melt” into the cheese while retaining its soft, silky texture.
- Can I make the components ahead of time? Yes! The pizza dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. The caramelized onions can also be made ahead and will keep in the fridge for up to a week, making this a very quick meal to assemble.
What To Serve With Caramelized Onion & Prosciutto Pizza
Simple sides to complement this gourmet pizza.
This rich and flavorful pizza is a wonderful meal on its own. It pairs beautifully with:
- A simple arugula salad with a lemon and Parmesan vinaigrette
- A glass of a light-bodied red wine, like a Pinot Noir, or a crisp white wine.
How To Store Leftover Pizza
Keeping your pizza delicious for another day.
- Refrigerate: Store any leftover pizza slices, once completely cooled, in an airtight container or wrapped in foil in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: For the best results and to re-crisp the crust, reheat the pizza in a hot, dry frying pan for a few minutes per side, or directly on the rack in a hot oven for 5-7 minutes.
Caramelized Onion & Prosciutto Pizza Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving (¼ of the pizza).
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Fat: 28 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes. This pizza has no tomato sauce, allowing the sweet and savory flavors of the caramelized onions, prosciutto, and cheese to be the stars of the show.
Absolutely. This pizza is fantastic with dollops of creamy ricotta, crumbles of tangy goat cheese, or shavings of a nutty Gruyère in place of or in addition to the mozzarella.
Yes, for a super quick version, you can use a store-bought pre-baked pizza crust. Just assemble the toppings and bake until everything is hot and bubbly.
Try More Recipes:
Caramelized Onion & Prosciutto Pizza Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: Italian-AmericanDifficulty: Easy1
servings30
minutes50
minutes550
kcalA sophisticated and delicious “white pizza” featuring a chewy homemade crust topped with a layer of deeply sweet caramelized onions, salty prosciutto, and melted mozzarella, finished with fresh arugula and a balsamic glaze.
Ingredients
-
1/2 batch of Basic Pizza Dough
-
2 large onions, thinly sliced
-
1 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp butter
-
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
-
4-5 slices of prosciutto
-
A handful of fresh arugula
-
Balsamic glaze, for drizzling
Directions
- Prepare the pizza dough and let it rise.
- While the dough rises, caramelize the onions by cooking them slowly in the butter and oil in a skillet for 30-40 minutes until deep golden brown and sweet.
- Preheat your oven and a pizza stone to its highest temperature (at least 450°F).
- Stretch or roll out your pizza dough into a thin circle. Brush with olive oil.
- Spread the caramelized onions over the base, then top with the shredded mozzarella.
- Bake on the hot stone for 10-12 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove the pizza from the oven. Immediately drape the prosciutto slices over the top.
- Garnish with a handful of fresh arugula and a generous drizzle of balsamic glaze. Slice and serve.
Notes
- A very hot oven and a preheated pizza stone are the secrets to a crispy, restaurant-quality crust.
- True caramelization of the onions takes time and low heat—don’t rush this step, as it’s the key to the pizza’s flavor.
- Add the prosciutto and arugula after baking to keep them fresh and tender.
- The pizza dough can be made days in advance for a quick and easy assembly.
